Communication Issues--Follow Up

Here's the follow up email conversation to the last blog entry!

Hey, Alex!

It's Shelby again! I took your advice and I started from scratch. I also bought a book by Craig Cameron which also gave me some ideas. I also ordered a bosal hackamore since I found another problem with her. I don't know if it's a lot of horses or it's just her, but she always plays with the snaffle. She'll move it, try and bite it, grab it. It's like a toy to a child and it's like she doesn't understand why it's in her mouth. I do bending exercises where I'll pick up on the rein/lead line on one side of her and she instantly touches her nose to her belly. She responds to the halter fantastically but with the bit, it's like she absolutely doesn't understand. After a few seconds of pressure, she stops messing around, touches her belly, and goes back to playing.

She responds to a rope halter far better than a bridle. I also worked on leading her. When I start walking, she does. When I stop, she stops. However, she doesn't back very well when I back up. I have to face her and put pressure on the lead line for her to back up. And it's like she's stiff. So when I go for more than a few steps, she just totally stops and she'll put her head anywhere except for where it needs to be. I don't think I am doing anything wrong ( I could be ) because when she takes one step back, I instantly release pressure. Two steps, same thing. And I'll build on that but after awhile, she tosses her head, stamps her feet, rams her head on me. Is there such a thing as backing up too much?

I also rode her. Granted it was bareback with a halter, but I rode her. She was way more willing and soft and just great! We had the never-moving-problem completely disappear. I sat on her and rubbed and scratched her and wiggled. She didn't mind at all. Then I would squeeze with steady pressure until she took a small step and I released and I praised her. It was all downhill from there! After a couple minutes, I had her taking a walk! And she was so kind! I've never seen this side of her. She listened to my legs and my hands! Haha I don't know if it's bad that I accomplished this bareback with a halter, but couldn't this be considered as a start?

That was the good news, but there is bad. It's like she has off days. It was windy on Sunday and when I excitedly went out to go riding again, it was like someone stole my sweet, willing mare! Usually she comes when she sees me but this day was different. She started towards me and just stopped and waited. I got to her, I haltered her just fine. I did some bending and moving exercises and when I thought she was fine, I went to get on. Bad idea. She wouldn't have it. When I put my hands on her back, she moved away and bumped her butt up at me as if to say " I'm not doing anything today!". She did this several times varying from going to bite, bumping her butt at me, pushing me away with her head, facing me and stepping towards me.. I didn't know what was different! It might have been the weather but she just would have it. I ran my fingers down her spine to maybe see if her back hurt but she didn't display any discomfort. But when I leaned on her, put my arms on her back, she was instantly mad. Do you think it was just an off day for her?

Well, another looong email but I had to tell you. I was so stoked about riding. I'll be attending the clinic this weekend for sure! I think my cousin may come as well. Thank you so much, Alex!

Warm regards,
Shelby Zipperian :)Hi Shelby

This is GREAT! Often horses who are troubled and don't have clarity in their lives play with the bit. It may also be worth having her teeth checked by the vet if you haven't done that already..sometimes a tooth issue causes issues with a snaffle, as well. For green horses like Sage, I prefer working in a side pull bridle, rather than a hackamore, because a side pull applies pressure from either side, so it is more direct than a hackamore and more similar to a snaffle bit. This is the side pull I would recommend: http://www.rods.com/Flat-Leather-Nose-Sidepull,425.html?sc=WGB&utm_source=Froogle&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Froogle11&ns_md=Feed&ns_sc=Froogle&ns_cn=Froogle11

You will find she responds to the side pull a lot like she does to the halter. Try your hackamore and a side pull, and make a decision for yourself. You can always sell one on craigslist! Though I think a gal can never have too much tack!

Your progress sounds great with the leading. With regard to the backing, I think you should try getting her to back by shaking the rope up and down, while holding it loose at the end of the lead. Get as big as you have to for her to take a step back, even if it means making some noise and stepping into her while shaking the rope (because I think she might be really dull and able to just ignore the rope alone) and then quit. If you want to back her from the base of the halter under her chin, start with a TINY amount of pressure and just wait. It might take 5 minutes but eventually she will just slightly rock back or drop her nose, and then you release. Keep doing this until she starts backing without feeling stiff. NEVER release while she feels still. Always wait for a physical and mental softness. She needs to THINK back. There is no such thing as backing up correctly too much. But if you are backing her incorrectly, and releasing when she is braced (stiff) , then even one time is too many.

Riding her bareback with a halter still counts, good job! You will find that as you fix one thing, other things seem to fix themselves, like the never moving problem. This is definitely a great start, keep at it! Take it slow and don't expect too much. Concentrate on getting her to turn and stop and back softly while you are riding her, applying the same cues and philosophy as you do when you are on the ground.

With regard to the bad day. Yes, you can expect off days from any horse. Just like you and me, they have bad days. The wind is a tough thing, and often horses are very unsettled in the wind. You don't yet have a completely sound relationship with her, so her fear of the wind overcomes her ability to pay attention to you. Eventually, if you continue on this path successfully, you will be her source of comfort and feeling good, so even in the worst of environmental situations she will look to you.

However, if she is acting "mad," and it seems directly related to you putting pressure on her back, it is definitely something to keep an eye on. Have you worked her again since then? If she starts showing these signs of not wanting you to put pressure on her back regularly, especially if it happens when there aren't other factor such as the wind. Then it might be an indicator of a physical issue and she is trying to tell you that she is in pain. But, I wouldn't assume this if it is an isolated incident in the wind.

Lastly, I'm not sure if I recommended any books to you before, but since you mention buying books, here are a couple I think you will enjoy. "A Horse's Thought" & "Between the Reins" by Tom Moates. Read them in that order. You can order them online at www.tommoates.com.

I'm looking forward to seeing you this weekend and am going to post this follow up email to the blog!
Thanks and good luck!
Alex